Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Allen Reynolds performs and shares stories from throughout his career as part of the Museum's “Poets and Prophets” series, which honors songwriters who have made notable contributions to country music. The Museum’s Michael Gray moderates this program, which was recorded on October 6, 2012.

Reynolds opens the program with a performance of “Catfish John,” which he wrote with frequent collaborator Bob McDill and which Johnny Russell recorded. He recounts launching his career in the early 1960s by penning the pop hits “I Saw Linda Yesterday,” recorded by Dickey Lee, and “Five O’Clock World,” recorded by the Vogues and, later, country artist Hal Ketchum.

Reynolds, who was born in Arkansas and raised in Memphis, also discusses meeting Sun Records producer Cowboy Jack Clement and moving to Nashville to help run Clement’s publishing company and record label, where Reynolds signed talent including McDill and Don Williams. He shares his experiences as a writer and producer for Williams and Crystal Gayle, including for her hits “Ready for the Times to Get Better,” “Wrong Road Again,” and “Somebody Loves You.”

One of the most successful record producers in country music, Reynolds made significant contributions to the careers of Brooks, Emmylou Harris, and Kathy Mattea. He closes this program with performances of “Five O’Clock World” and “Fellow Travelers.”

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